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The Myths of Innovation summary
The bestseller on the history of ideas
14 mins
Brief summary
The Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun debunks the popular myths about innovation, offering an insight into the truth behind the process of creating and implementing new ideas. It shows real-world examples of how innovation really works and how to approach it strategically.
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The Myths of Innovation
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Great ideas aren’t born from divine inspiration but from a build-up of smaller thoughts.
Whether visiting an artist’s studio, an inventor’s workshop or a researcher’s lab, people often ask innovators the same question: “Where do your ideas come from?”
A well-known origin story of a great idea is that of Isaac Newton and how he devised a theory of gravity after an apple fell on his head. The implication of this story is that great ideas strike those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
Unfortunately, this tale is a myth. Epiphanies don’t exist. Great ideas don’t miraculously come to people in a moment of inspiration; they evolve over a lifetime of hard work and personal sacrifice.
The word epiphany contains deeply religious connotations. Originally, it meant that all moments of inspiration came from God. Today, the word is less associated with religion, but the core implication nonetheless remains: when people exclaim that they’ve just had an epiphany, they’re subtly suggesting that they’re not quite sure where the idea came from, and thus couldn’t possibly take full credit for it.
The belief that great ideas exist in a realm beyond our control and come to us in mysterious ways could be a psychological tactic to alleviate guilt and frustration when we’re staring down at a blank sheet of paper, unable to commit any creative idea to it. But such a belief is a distortion of what the creative process actually entails.
Instead of a divine moment of inspiration, most creatives accumulate many small insights over time. Indeed, if you look closely at any great idea, you will see that it’s composed of an infinite number of previous, smaller ideas. For example, it was only after almost four decades of multiple innovations in the realms of networking, electronics and software that Tim Berners-Lee was able to build upon the concept of the internet to create the World Wide Web.
Unlike Newton’s apple, great ideas don’t just fall from trees. To come up with an innovative thought, we need to give it time, which we’ll look at how to do right now.
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What is The Myths of Innovation about?
The Myths of Innovation (2007) addresses common misconceptions about what it takes to become a successful innovator. Borrowing real-life examples from both recent business history and the arts, Berkun reveals where good ideas really come from.
The Myths of Innovation Review
The Myths of Innovation (2007) by Scott Berkun explores the misconceptions surrounding innovation and offers valuable insights into the process of generating groundbreaking ideas. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It dispels commonly held myths about innovation, providing a refreshing and realistic perspective on what it takes to truly innovate in any field.
- Berkun draws on historical examples and in-depth research to highlight the challenges and obstacles innovators have faced throughout history, making it a fascinating read.
- With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, the book keeps readers hooked, ensuring that the exploration of innovation is definitely not boring.
Best quote from The Myths of Innovation
Picasso needed eight notebooks to explore all his ideas for the Guernica painting.
—Scott Berkun
Who should read The Myths of Innovation?
- Managers who want to support innovation in the workplace
- Those looking to increase the success of their innovative ideas
- Creative people struggling with inspiration
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The Myths of Innovation FAQs
What is the main message of The Myths of Innovation?
The main message of The Myths of Innovation is that innovation is a messy, collaborative process filled with setbacks and failures.
How long does it take to read The Myths of Innovation?
The reading time for The Myths of Innovation varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Myths of Innovation a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Myths of Innovation is worth reading for anyone interested in understanding the realities of innovation. It challenges common misconceptions and provides valuable insights.
Who is the author of The Myths of Innovation?
The author of The Myths of Innovation is Scott Berkun.
What to read after The Myths of Innovation?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Myths of Innovation, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Innovation in Real Places by Dan Breznitz
- How Innovation Works by Matt Ridley
- Unlearn by Barry O’Reilly
- The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer
- The Art of War (new version) by Sun Tzu
- The Mind's Mirror by Gregory Mone
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
- The Innovation Stack by Jim McKelvey